Chapter five –

Once Edward parked, Lauren threw her door open and jumped out of the car, shooting round to Edward's side and when Edward had managed to climb out himself, she looped her arm through his in a vice tight grip and dragged him off towards the building entrance.

Stood on the side walk, I watched as Edward tried to resist the pushiness of his companion, and he came to an abrupt stop, yanking his arm free and turning to look back for me. Our eyes met and I gave him a small smile.

'You go on.' I called to him. 'I'll have a look around then meet you after you've filmed okay?' Two questions shone in my head. First of all, since when did he care if I was okay being left on my own? And why did I feel a sense of loss at his lack of presence?

It didn't matter; I shook it off and headed inside. It was strange being on set for a TV show, I had never been on one before, and seeing a number of different half rooms positioned throughout the building surrounded by numerous camera's was kind of surreal. I wondered around for about an hour, I didn't want to watch Edward because I didn't want to be labelled as a distraction and also, I wanted to avoid spending anytime with Mike Newton, especially if he was going to behave like a blithering moron around me, so I aimlessly wondered around every square inch of the building, taking in the atmosphere and new feelings. Unfortunately, I forgot where I had come from and ended up completely confused and devoid of any directional remembrance.

'You look lost.' A deep heavily accented voice stated from behind me.

I swung around to see who the person talking to me was, and was greeted by a guy, about the size of Emmett with dark hair and a crafty smile. His eyes were trained on me like a hawk. He looked friendly enough.

'No, not lost.' I corrected, smiling back at him. He was quite handsome to look at, he had pale, almost translucent looking skin and deep dark grey eyes, that shimmered in the dimmed studio lighting. I didn't want to admit to this handsome stranger that I was lost; I didn't want to seem like a damsel in distress incapable of looking after ones self. I also knew he wasn't really a stranger, I hadn't met him before, but I knew who he was, he was one of the main characters in the show, and he was Felix... something, I wracked my brain but I couldn't remember his last name. 'Just overwhelmed.' I said, motioning to everything with my hands.

He chuckled softly to himself. 'I take it this is you're first time on a filming set?' his chuckle was extremely deep, the sound and vibration reverberating around the close space between us and shaking its way through my chest.

I bit my lip and shrugged. 'Is it that obvious?' I asked self consciously. I had wanted to appear like a natural here, like I was exactly where I belonged. Guess that went straight out of the window, just like me spending the day with Edward did. Thinking of Edward, I scanned the surrounding area for any sign of him, but he was no where to be seen. I guess he was with Lauren, screwing her brains out probably.

'Nah.' He scoffed, a bright smile lightening up his face and taking over most of his features. 'Only to us oldies.' He extended his hand. 'I'm Felix by the way.'

I placed my small hand in his large grasp. 'Bella.'

I don't know why, but there was something about Felix that I really liked. He had an easy going attitude as far as I could see, much the same as Emmett and also, he was kind of cute. He had a rugged look to him, but also kind of a baby faced appearance as well.

'So Bella, are you a new extra or something?' He motioned with his head towards the cameras and I scoffed.

Me, on TV? Acting? That was a funny concept to think of. 'No.' I replied. 'I'm just here to watch a...' I stumbled over the next part. I had wanted to say friend, but could I really call Edward Cullen a friend? I mean today was the first time that I have ever actually liked him, and that was because of him flattering me with his comment on my look obviously, nothing else. 'Work colleague?' I shrugged off my hesitance and continued. 'I'm a writer.'

He nodded and with a completely sincere face said. 'I should have known, if you were an actress you would be more than an extra, with looks like yours you would have been snapped up years ago.' I felt a blush creep up my neck and flood my cheeks. It was a cheesy line, but instead of making me want to puke, it did the opposite, it made my skin tingle and flattery filled my body.

'Bella, I've been looking for you everywhere!' Edwards booming velvety voice called, as he intruded on a very weird moment between Felix and I. Was Felix hitting on me, and I was missing all the signs? Or was he just being friendly and welcoming, sensing that I wasn't at ease in this foreign like place. I turned to look at Edward; he was striding towards us with an unreadable expression on his face. Once he saw Felix and me standing cosily together his warm green liquid eyes turned to stone. 'What's this?' He asked, looking back and forth between me and my new friend.

I gestured with my hand towards Felix. 'Edward this is Felix.'

'Yeah, I know who he is.' Edward retorted dryly, eyeing Felix up very carefully. There was some sort of animosity hanging in the air, marking the two men. There was something between them. What? I am not sure, but I felt like I was missing out on knowing something. Making a silent exchange, communicating only through eye contact, I could feel Felix tense up next to me. Edward cleared his throat and placed his hand on my shoulder. It was the first time he had made proper skin on skin contact with me, and an electric shock shook powerfully through me, all my nerves standing excitedly on end. 'Bella I'm kinda thirsty, can you go get me a bottle of water?' He asked sweetly, never taking his eyes off of Felix. And with that simple question, all lust for him vanished and I wanted to yell at him.

I cursed myself for getting carried away in the thrill of his touch and quicker than I thought my brain possible to function, the shutters came down in my mind and suddenly all friendliness and relaxation disappeared, and all need to be blocked from any harmful treatment or comments was pushed in for replacement. I chuckled softly, but as soon as I felt his gaze heating up my face, I abruptly stopped. The fact that for the first part of this morning I had been able to neglect to remember that he was in fact an asshole - an asshole who treated me and everybody else who was below his status wise, like shit – was astounding to me, I never dropped my guard, that just wasn't the sort of person I was. I always had some defence mechanism set up in my head, but with him, he had been able to disable my self protection, and in that action alone, made me realise what a dangerous person he was to me, because some how, he had the ability to make me relax around him, and that was most definitely what I never wanted to do. With him, I always wanted to be aware.

I folded my arms over my chest and glared at him menacingly. 'You want something to drink, go get it yourself.'

'Bella.' He warned, finally breaking gaze with Felix and looking at me evenly. I couldn't read his eyes, I hated the fact that I couldn't read what he wanted me to get. He was telling me something, searching for some recognition from me; that I understood. I didn't have a clue.

I shook my head at him, daring him to order me around again. 'I'm not your slave. I'm not even your PA; go get your own damn drink.' I snapped.

Felix smirked at me, obviously liking it when women disobeyed Edward and he gave me a private wink. Edward of course saw and sent Felix a death glare.

'I need to talk to Felix. Can you please go and get me a bottle of water?' He repeated, a politeness clouding his tone more than the last time he asked me. 'Please?' He asked again, a small smile, tilting up the corners of his mouth.

'Don't think that because I've done it this once, that I'll do it again.' I warned, turning on my heel and walking towards the buffet table that provided all staff with refreshments.

I was fuming, what made him think that he could belittle me in front of someone like that? He was so demeaning. And I had thought earlier that we had hit some sort of turning point, neither of us ripping shreds out of each other, finally finding some common ground where we could stand together harmoniously.

I snatched him a bottle of water off the table. There was a mini fridge containing the bottles as well, but most people prefer their water chilled, but I figured he wasn't worth the extra foot of walking.

When I got back to the two men, they were stood, adopting a sort of lion's stance, like they were prepared to fight for the role as alpha. Seriously, what was the deal between them? Whatever it was couldn't be that bad surely.

'ereHGHHere's your water.' I said, forcefully shoving into Edward's side. 'It's room temperature.'

He grunted at the impact of the glass bottle making contact with his ribs, but he chose to remain tight lipped, it was apparent that today he held no death wish, because if he had chosen to comment on anything else I had done today I would have seriously killed him; painfully and slowly.

'Just how I like it.' He muttered before taking it from me. 'Thank you, Bella.'

I turned to Felix who was eyeing me suggestively. 'I'm sorry, where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?'

'We were just-' He started, but you-know-who cut him off so rudely again.

'Bella, I'm about done now, I think we better leave; we need to get some work done.' Edward said sincerely. He was acting so truthful and sincere, but I didn't believe him, I didn't fall for all his actor bullshit. He wanted to get me away for some reason, but he wasn't going to bully or order me out of the place.

'Are you finished filming already?' I asked. Surely it would take longer than an hour and a half to film for this episode.

'Yeah, I was only in one scene, so I think it is time for us to go.' He replied, twirling me around and pushing my to the exit. I however ignored his literal pushiness and dug my heels into the ground, if he thought he could make me disappear that easily he had another thing coming.

As much as I hated to admit it, Edward was right, we did have a lot to do, and not a lot of time to do it in, so although, yes we did need to leave, he didn't have to let me know in a way that suggested he had control over me, because that wasn't further from the case.

I sighed and shrugged, giving him a look that told him we would talk about this later. 'I'm sorry for Edwards's attitude Felix, but he is right, we do need to go.' I extended my hand towards him. 'It was nice meeting you though.'

Felix smirked, and gently stroked his knuckles along my cheek. 'It was a pleasure to meet you too Bella and I severely hope this isn't the last time we meet. Do you think I could have your number?'

I started a second, trying to process what he had just asked. Had he seriously just asked me out? I was taken aback by his forwardness, I wasn't used to that sort of attention, and it seems my clothing choice for today was attracting a whole load of unexpected attention. Sensing Edward tense up next to me, I smiled at Felix and fished in my bag for my business card.

'There you go.' I said, handing it to him. 'Give me a call whenever you like.'

Felix smiled widely at me, revealing his perfectly straight white teeth. 'I'll be sure to do that.'

Once we were in the car, we remained in silence until we were out of eyeshot from the set. Edward was still tense and agitated, and for what reason, I was still none the wiser, but I was going to wait until he spoke to me, I wasn't going to inquire and make it seem like I was interested, even though admittedly I was.

After what felt like years and years of unspoken torture, Edward finally broke the quiet.

'You know he isn't going to call right? That was all a show, hitting on you. He wants to get to me.' Edward said, surely, his voice forceful, putting all his effort into making me believe.

I scoffed and shook my head. Felix seemed pretty sincere when he asked for my number and when participating in our earlier chat, so I wasn't buying the bullshit Edward was spewing. 'And how did you come to that conclusion?'

'It's obvious.'

All it took were those few words, those few words to send my temper over the edge and spiralling towards seething. Why was it that in his eyes I couldn't hold any admirers? He had made it abundantly clear that he thought I held little to be desired – marking this morning's anomalous conversation as discounted - so why should he get this riled when someone shows the slightest inkling of an attraction towards me?

'Why do you think that it is so obvious? Because you believe that the idea of someone even finding me slightly attractive is so preposterous? Because of course, no one normal could find me interesting or attractive, so I especially wouldn't be able to bag myself someone like Felix!' I exclaimed, stormily looking out my passenger window, feeling like a teenager getting scolded by her father after he picks her up from the police station, following a night of endless drinking.

Edward slowed down and turned to look at me, sympathy playing over his features as subtly as a drag queens make up. 'Bella.' He started, his voice softening. 'That isn't what I am saying.'

'That is exactly what you are saying!' I shouted, my voice appearing louder as it bounced around the compacted area. I cracked my knuckles and looked out of the windshield, suddenly all confidence draining out of me, leaving me drowning in this confrontational hell, unintentionally enveloping me in complete and utter abandonment. 'I may not be as thin as most people you associate with, or maybe not as tall, or as pretty, as feminine, but I'm a good person, a decent catch. I'm not ugly! I may not be flawlessly beautiful, but I'm attractive, I'm petite, I've got a good figure, it is not impossible to find me attractive. Its not impossible to like me, it's not impossible to fancy me, I'm not impossible to fall in love with.'

I'm not entirely sure how love made itself apparent in the conversation, but the insecurities I was now feeling related back you how I felt when Jake left me, and for some reason unbeknown to me also, I felt the need to note my good qualities to Edward and make him see me as more than just a bad tempered writer. I needed him to take notice that I was a woman, and that I did have some good things going on.

'Bella I-'

'Pull over.' I ordered, ignoring his blatant attempt at an apology, it was bad enough sitting here, isolated from the outside world, and getting berated so my self loathing hit an all time high, I couldn't sit here and let him see that he had gotten to me with his mindless insults. I couldn't let him see me falter to him, I wouldn't lose face. Not now anyway.

'What?' He asked, ignoring my order and continuing to speed ahead, breaking all speeding laws in the process.

'I said pull the fucking car over!' There was an unanswerable silence, like he was waiting for more information. 'I'm getting out.'

He snorted and chose to ignore my command, like I was a child ordering a highly pissed off parent about. 'I don't think so.'

'Either pull over, or I'm opening this door whether you're driving or not.' I warned. Usually I would be bluffing, and if he chose to test me on it, I would back down undoubtedly. But this time? I was deadly serious. He brought out an incontrollable thirst in me, gasping for control, and if scaring the shit out of him by throwing the door open mid-drive, was what it was going to take to put me figuratively back into the drivers seat in this heated discussion, then that is damn well what I was going to do.

He shot a disbelieving glance at me, oh he of little faith, so I did what had to be done, and I opened the door. I wasn't stupid enough to fling it open, and obliviously ignore on coming traffic, but he called what he thought was my bluff only to discover it was nothing but truth.

As I opened the car door a crack, I watched with bittersweet amusement as Edward's flailing arm shot across my body, fastening a firm hand onto the handle, and yanking it back till it made a satisfying click, signalling closure.

'Jesus Bella, what the fuck?' He yelled, swerving slightly through lack of concentration on what lay ahead of him.

'I warned you, you chose not to listen, so don't blame that on me. Now let me out the damn car or do we need a re-performance of what just happened?'

I knew I was acting childishly, being the grown up I was, and I should have taken the moral high ground and forgotten our fight and just laughed off his obvious lack of knowledge when it comes to me and my desirability with the remainder of the male population. Before I could even fractionally move to fulfil my threat again, I heard a clicking echo throughout the car as he set the automatic locking, preventing me from doing anymore stupid actions.

'Look, I'm sorry for what I said; you completely misinterpreted what I meant.' Edward said, not looking at me and for once keeping his eyes glued to the road.

'No. I didn't misinterpret anything. What you said was meant to mean exactly what I took it as, and now you can't deal with the repercussions so you're trying to weasel your way out. Now pull the damn car over. I don't want to be near you, never mind spend the rest of the day with you!' I shouted, my cool so far gone it was probably in Canada or something. What was it about him that sent my cool and collected attitude and exterior completely out of the window? When with him I was almost unrecognisable, all my good qualities faded away and my sinister side entered.

Edward sighed and turned onto another road, a much quieter street. 'You're not really going to get out the car, you are miles away from home. You're not going to walk it.'

Once he unlocked the doors, I flung the door open and bounced out the car, slamming the door firmly and marching away from my own person version of hell. Shortly after my departure I heard the soft purring of the Volvo's engine coming to life and slowly prowling along the sidewalk next to me in a stalker-like fashion. A few seconds later the insistent buzz of a window rolling down, matching the unmistakable sound of swarming bees joined in with the gentle humming of the car engine.

'Bella, where are you going?'

'I'm going to get a drink.' I snapped, heading for the bar that was taunting me, beckoning for my presence, staring at me from across the street. At seeing the bar an alcohol craving suddenly erupted in me and I felt like I needed a stiff drink to wash away the memory of today's disastrous events.

As soon as those words left my lips, I heard Edward sigh in annoyance, and watched in relief as he pulled away from the curb and drove off down the road. Finally, release. I had time to think.

Once I was settled in a booth, in the corner of the room, away from all the ruckus and hustle in the background, I took a long, glorious gulp of my vodka on the rocks. I didn't usually drink it straight, but today called for something stronger than my usual beverage. My throat seared as I swallowed the substance and for once I enjoyed the burning feeling, knowing that it was cushioning my extreme emotions.

I had some serious thinking to do now. When I had been offered the chance to write the autobiography, I had been completely thrilled, it was something I could have recognition for, it would look great on my resume and it would show dedication, seeing my commitment to write a full ninety thousand word or more book. But now? I wasn't so sure. I had originally thought I could handle pretty much anything, I had even been naive enough to think I could handle Edward Cullen, but that obviously wasn't the case. I didn't want to give up, my parents didn't raise me to be a quitter, but if I had been driven to drink at this measly hour, maybe that was a sign that working for Edward Cullen wasn't for me.

'Mind if I join you?' An annoyingly unwelcome voice asked.

'Yes.' I snarled, not looking up to meet his eyes in case I was hypnotised by their dazzling powers. Out of the corner of my eye I watched as he pulled out a chair to the side of me and sat down in it. 'I mean yes I do mind, I don't want you anywhere near me.' I finally looked at him and glared with as much power as I possible could. It looked like I would have to spell it out that I was in no way in need of his presence and my preference was to have him gone.

He ignored my hostility towards him and carried on as if I was in a normal, cheerful mood and we weren't in the middle of a very strong misunderstanding. 'You got your wires crossed earlier.' He stated, propping his elbows up on the edge of the table and folding his fingers together.

I smirked at him petulantly. 'And you're an ass.'

He sighed like a tired parent, patronizingly, and gave me a withering look, like I was the one who was patience trying instead of the other way around. 'Was there really any need for that?'

I stared at him disbelievingly, my eyebrows crinkling together in confusion. Did he really think he had done nothing wrong in order to make me act like this towards him. I don't know where he was coming from, but when someone was being a dick towards you, you have a right to be a bitch back, or that is how it kind of works for me in my little world. 'Er yeah.' I stated the obvious.

He raised an eyebrow at me. 'Are you going to let me explain?' He asked patiently, eyeing me evenly.

'Do I even have a choice?' I sighed, taking another sip of my drink, the numbing substance no longer easing the memories of the day, but that could be because the problem was sat next to me, smirking at me teasingly, letting me know the answer the my question. 'Yeah, I didn't think so.'

He chuckled, low enough so that I knew he wasn't laughing at me – for once – but laughing at my reluctance to accept that he got his way everyday whether I liked it or not.

'I didn't mean you any offense.' He said to me formally. Like he was making a polite statement in a news interview, instead of fighting his case to me.

I picked up my drink and with the same hand pointed at him accusingly. 'That is exactly what people say when they are going to be offensive and don't want to get in any shit for it.'

He growled quietly and pinched the bridge of his nose. Anyone would think I was the annoying pain in the ass instead of the other way around. 'Well then, if that is what you think, I will state now, that it wasn't my intension to offend you.'

'Bullshit.' I exclaimed, slamming my glass on the table so violently I was surprise it didn't splinter and smash.

'Are you going to shut up and let me speak?' He snapped, finally arriving at the end of the short thread his patience existed on.

'Depends.' I replied nonchalantly, shrugging indecisively. 'Am I going to hear something I don't want to hear?'

'Shut up and you'll find out.' He hissed menacingly through gritted teeth.

I leant forward so that I was leaning half way across the table. 'Fine, I'll keep quiet, but if you ever, and I mean ever tell me to shut up again, I swear to god, you won't know what has hit you.'

He gave me one of his disbelieving looks, revelling in the fact that theoretically, because of his status, no one could touch him, no matter how much they threatened. What he was underestimating was my willpower. If I ever wanted him to pay, that was exactly what I was going to do.

After an awkward silence, filled with tension, his male pride powered by testosterone and my dedication to not let myself be belittled, especially not by the likes of him, Edward finally spoke. 'When I said it was obvious Felix didn't like you, it wasn't because you lack attractiveness. Because believe me' His eyes swept over me seductively. 'You don't.' I felt a blush creep up into my cheeks, but I refused to hide my face because of it. 'Felix and I go way back. We used to be friends, our parents were close. But when we both went into acting, there was a lot of animosity between us. Felix landed a job on daytime television, as a regular, when really he wanted to work in films like I do, and be known world wide. I however achieved that dream, and well, he never handled that well. With Felix, he doesn't act for the love of acting, for the thrill of being someone else and telling their story. He acts because it gets him laid and gets him money, his two favourite things in the world.'

I nodded at him to continue, and true to my word, I kept quiet, too intrigued by his story to let any words fall from my lips.

'Now, it is like a competition between us, well for him it is. He wants everything I have, and he does everything he can to get it. He saw you there with me today, now he wants you. I can guarantee he will call in the next few days and ask to pick you up for some lunchtime coffee or something, and I tell you now, he will do it when you're round mine, working on the book, just so I know he has you.'

I smirked at him and shrugged. 'You're missing one thing though, I'm not yours, nor have I ever been yours.'

'In certain aspects you are though, aren't you?'

Was I? I suppose in ways, I was. I was his writer, his colleague of sorts. So yes, I was his, but was he telling the truth about Felix? He could just be scared I would leak all of his dirty little secrets to his rival. But if he thought that of me, I was more offended than when we were in the car earlier.

'Look Edward, if you are scared I will leak all your secrets, then don't be. I signed a contract didn't I? And plus, I would never be so bitchy and insensitive towards others, even you, as hard as it is to believe.' I said, not sure whether to be annoyed if he thought that or understanding towards his reluctance to believe I would keep his life quiet.

'Bella, I know you would never do that, even though we have our differences, I know you would never be so devious, it isn't in your nature.' He patted me on the head patronizingly, like he was rewarding a dog. I glared at him levelly and he retracted his hand as fast as he had placed it there.

'You know.' I mused, trying to defend myself and my want-ability just to give myself a much needed ego boost. 'This could just be your ego talking, with the whole egotistical battle between you and Felix, you know, living out the whole alpha male fight thing, like in the wild. But maybe there is nothing crafty or devious about it, maybe Felix just found me charming and would like to have my company.'

'Not likely.' Edward snorted, a look of disbelief colouring his features.

My eyes narrowed and I shot murderous daggers at him. What is it with him and unnoticeably insulting me... well unnoticeably to him anyway? I opened my mouth to defend my credibility again, but he stopped me with a slash of his hand before I could even utter a word. 'At the risk of getting into another fight, let's just end this conversation here and enjoy a nice quiet drink before we get back to work.' He snatched my glass and downed the remaining vodka. 'Just remember, Felix only wants you because I want you.'

I smirked at him. 'You want me?'

He started slightly, and suddenly his cool and composed exterior disappeared and a stuttering teenage attitude replaced it. 'No... I mean, yeah... for the... you know, book. You are a very talented...' He stammered, then eventually shrugged and gave up. 'You know what I mean.'

'Yeah.' I smiled, loving the fact that I was finally seeing the human Edward Cullen, who had flaws just like the rest of us. 'You want me. I understand. Who doesn't?' I let a bit of cocky bantering enter the conversation, enjoying the fact that I had just witnessed him make a huge error in conversation.

With satisfaction, I realised, for once I had the upper hand. He needed me a lot more than I needed him, so maybe now; he was going to be willing to give me the respect I deserve instead of treating me like he would a nobody.

Please Review and let me know what you think. Hope you like the fifth chapter. x